Koller View 4/21

16 Preview of the Wristwatches auction on 1 December 2021 Exclusive elegance The ‘Grand Complication’ platinum and diamond wristwatch by Patek Philippe (ill. 5) offered on 1 De- cember is especially rare and attractive. Premiering in 2011, its complex minute repeater alone grants it a place in the highest echelons of watchmaking. On demand, the movement strikes the hours, quarter hours and minutes on two fine cathedral gongs. The perpetual calendar displays the date, day of the week, month and moon phase with no adjustments need- ed. In keeping with the exceptional inner workings of the timepiece, the platinum case is set with precious diamond baguettes, each individually cut to fit its des- ignated position. This work of watchmaking art could not simply be ordered from a Patek Philippe retailer: one had to apply for it, practically submit a resume. The owner of Patek Philippe, Thierry Stern, then per- sonally decided whether the watch would be delivered to the applicant after one to three years of fabrication. Consequently, very few pieces were made – this ex- ample is only the fourth ever to be offered at auction. Most Rolex sports watches were made in stainless steel in the 1960s, so a Rolex Daytona in yellow gold like this one (ill. 4) is extremely rare. The 14k gold used here was reserved for the US market (and accordingly bears a ROW import stamp), which makes the watch even more exclusive. All Rolex chronographs of the time were hand-wound watches; this model was only in production for four years. 1 2 3